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After a quick check-over, medics said Maximus had a 'cough and cold' and was fine to return home.

The couple had got home late from the hospital, but Miss Hester had made sure to set her alarm for 4am to give him his feed and he finally settled at 5am.

After going back to check on him at 9am, she received a phone call so left the bedroom so as not to disturb him.

The grief-stricken couple are now demanding answers from the hospital about why their son was released from hospital

When she came back in an hour later, her son was no longer breathing.

She said: 'We dialled 999 and Richard started doing CPR. I was really scared. They were telling me what to do over the phone and I was shouting it out to Richard.

'The ambulance arrived about four minutes later and took him straight to hospital.

'They tried to save him for 45 minutes but they said there was nothing else they could do.'

The grief-stricken couple are now demanding answers from the hospital about why their son was released from hospital.

Miss Hester, who has a three-year-old daughter Millie, said: 'I can't fault the care we received on the neonatal unit when Maximus was born.

Why did they send him home? We are heartbroken

'I feel disappointed in what happened the night before Maximus died. We feel he should have been kept in overnight.

'Why did they send him home? We are heartbroken.'

The couple are still waiting for biopsy results, but have been told Maximus could have died from pneumonia, an infection or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Internal and external investigations into his death have been launched by the hospital.

Mandy Bailey, chief nurse and executive director of risk and governance, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM), said: 'We offer our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the parents following the loss of their baby son Maximus, at this very sad and difficult time.

'Following his sad death, the Trust immediately carried out an internal investigation and we are also supporting an external investigation.

'An external investigation, SUDIC, is launched in the event of any child's death. The findings of all investigations will be openly available for the family.

'An inquest is also due to take place which will fully explore the circumstances of this tragic event.